Transgender female cyclists to be barred from competing in international women's events

The Union Cycliste Internationale announced on Friday that transgender female cyclists will not be allowed to compete in international women's events. 

This new rule will go into effect on July 17.

The governing body for sports cycling released a statement saying that it will bar any trans cyclist from competing in women’s events if they have "transitioned after puberty."

"From now on, female transgender athletes who have transitioned after (male) puberty will be prohibited from participating in women's events on the UCI International Calendar – in all categories – in the various disciplines," the statement reads, according to Fox News.  

UCI President David Lappartient said that the governing body does respect decisions of those who chose to transition, but there has to be equal opportunity for all competitors. 

"I would also like to reaffirm that the UCI fully respects and supports the right of individuals to choose the sex that corresponds to their gender identity, whatever sex they were assigned at birth," he said. "However, it has a duty to guarantee, above all, equal opportunities for all competitors in cycling competitions."

He later added that scientific knowledge has to be taken into account. 

"It is this imperative that led the UCI to conclude that, given the current state of scientific knowledge does not guarantee such equality of opportunity between transgender female athletes and cisgender female participants, it was not possible, as a precautionary measure, to authorize the former to race in the female categories," Lappartient said.